New competence centre for Gerontology at KL University

"The new competence centre is a milestone for Lower Austria as a location for science and research. Our goal is a modern health care system that responds to the health situation and the needs of the 60+ generation. They should receive the best possible support to stay physically and mentally fit, to live independently and to actively participate in social life. The competence centre in Krems will provide us with scientifically proven data and facts in order to further develop the Lower Austrian health system for people 60 years and older in the best possible way and make it fit for the future," says NÖGUS Chairman Martin Eichtinger.

For Rector Rudolf Mallinger, the competence centre represents an important extension: "The Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences has set itself the task of working interdisciplinary on the entire field of health sciences in addition to medicine. We feel particularly committed to current social developments and needs. I am very pleased that with the Competence Center Gerontology an important research field for people can be newly established at our university and I also expect important impulses for our students".

"Healthy ageing needs demand-oriented health services in health promotion, rehabilitation and curation. With the Lower Austrian Health Barometer Age, we are for the first time creating a comprehensive, up-to-date database on the health of the Lower Austrian population aged 60 and over. This will enable us to provide those responsible in the health system with new decision-making bases for health services, structures and processes, including financial forecasts," says Prof. Dr. Franz Kolland, Head of the Competence Centre for Gerontology and Health Research.

With the scientific study "Lower Austrian Health Barometer Age", the health situation of the over 60-year-olds (e.g. chronic illnesses, need for care), living habits and conditions in their everyday lives (e.g. social participation, entrepreneurial spirit and the possibility for activities close to home) as well as their suggestions for improving the health system are collected at regular intervals. A total of 1,200 people are to be interviewed by telephone in 2019 as part of this study on the topics of healthy lifestyles, the need for care in the event of illness or disability, care and the potential of digital services for older people. The results are to be incorporated into the planning and further development of health care for 60-year-olds and older in all regions of Lower Austria.

By the year 2050, the population of Lower Austria will grow from just under 1.7 million to 1.9 million. In 2050 more than one third of the people in Lower Austria (35%) will be over 60 years old, that is about 680,000 people.

In addition, today we live longer than the generations before us. On average, Lower Austrians live to be 81.5 years old - men 79.3 and women 83.6 years. They spend about 65.8 years in good health - men 65.3 and women 66.3 years. This is around 11 years more than in 2011, which means that Lower Austrians not only live longer, but also healthier. Nevertheless, they usually spend the last 15 years of their lifes with one or more diseases - men 14 and women 17. This means that in future more people will have to be medically treated, cared for and cared for over a longer period of time in old age.

Press enquiry note

Mag. Markus Habermann │ Press Spokesman Provincial Councillor Martin Eichtinger

Telephone: +43 2742-9005-12361

E-mail: markus.habermann@noel.gv.at